*Sigh* Sword Art Online. This is by and far the most overhyped anime in 2012. And one can definitely see why. It's an anime based on a MMORPG called Sword Art Online. There are 3 categories of the fanbase for this particular anime, Fanboys, Haters and the ones in the middle. This review will split the ratings into 2 parts. The first arc and second arc. Okay so let's start with the real review.
Story:- 6
In basis the story is actually very good. A large number of people stuck in a RPG when if you die, then you die in real life as well. While the concept is pretty good the problem comes in it's execution. The anime doesn't focus on the actual goal of getting out of the game for the majority of time and instead fills it with and abundance of female stereotypes and instead turns the show into "Harem" Art Online. In addition to this the show takes itself waaaaaayyyy too seriously, and fails badly in trying to make this anything even near serious. But then comes the second arc.
In the second arc the characters are transported to a new game. This time if you die, IT DOES NOT MATTER. The entire concept of the show is thrown out the window in this arc. Any feeling of suspense or seriousness is dead in this part and that wouldn't be a problem is the show still wasn't trying desperately to be a serious survival anime. Herein lies the main problem since if there is no threat of death then there isn't any point of a "survival" anime. If it wasn't for this arc the story probably would've gotten a 7.5.
Art:- 9
The animation and art in this anime is by far the best part of this anime. Throughout the anime there is beautiful scenery and amazing action(although action is rare and this show). The action scenes are brilliantly choreographed and it really is one of the shining points of the anime. Even when nothing is going on in a scene they still give you something beautiful to look at, most of the time. The final episode of the first arc shows as a brilliant battle between 2 characters although the ending of the fight is arguably stupid.
The second arc doesn't really disappoint in term of animation ant art but it does seem a little toned down is some areas, like in the real world. But when the players are in the virtual world it becomes much better. So overall the series keeps a steady bar of animation and that bar is always kept high.
Sound:- 8
While some might argue, the soundtrack of this show is extremely good. Yuki Kajjura is known as a goddess of anime soundtracks and you can see this in shows like Fate/Zero, Baccano! and of course, this one. While it is true that she always composes brilliant soundtracks, this, in my opinion, is not her best work. The first opening is brilliant and definitely worth buying. The second one is also pretty good. Both endings are good but I feel the first one is better.
In both arcs the soundtrack in itself is amazing, only when it's playing along with the anime. if the soundtrack is played without the anime playing alongside it the the music becomes not as good." Swordland", "We have to defeat it" and "Confront Battle" are while still brilliant even without the anime these 3 tracks in particular are reused a countless number of times throughout the anime. The do become a bit stale after a period of time. So overall, the soundtrack is epic and beautiful but without the anime it seems wrong, and some tracks are reused a bit to many times for my liking.
Character:- 3
This is by far the WORST part of SAO. Every single character aside from one has no depth to their personality whatsoever. For the sake of this review I'l keep this as short as I can.
Kirito: The main male protagonist is one of the best examples of an overpowered and underdeveloped character. He is literally invincible. Never has he failed a to overcome a challenge and kill the enemy. If you want to see a perfect example of him being practically immortal the go look at the final episode of both arcs. While him being overpowered is praised by many it's a major flaw of his. People use the term "wish-fulfillment" character for him and that is a perfect way to put it. People who are into MMORPGs will love this guy since he is what they want to become. Making a character who is almost "God-like" is always a gamble and here, they lost the bet. For a perfect example of a good overpowered character, take a look at Alucard.
The Harem: The entire female cast is consisted of a few people who get one episode with Kirito each, which is never enough for character development. The remaining 2 are Asuna and Kirito's incestuous sister(Sorry, "cousin") Suguha.
Asuna was a character who showed a lot of potential in the first few episodes soon is degraded into a typical tsundere and is practically forced into a relationship by the writers. The love between her and Kirito was one of the worst relationships ever. And somehow people liked this relationship because it was exactly what they want to happen to themselves, since Asuna is a perfect Waifu.
And then there's Suguha. This is an extremely underdeveloped character. She was the only main character introduced in the second arc. The only thing I got after the series ended was that she loves her "cousin", Kirito and has has gigantic "melons" in both the real world and the virtual world. Aside from that she's also forced into making a love triangle(between Asuna, Kirito and herself) by whom other than the writers?
Finally we get to the best and only "well-developed" character in the series. The main villain Kayaba Akihiko. Allthough I can't really talk about him without spoilers, he is a good character and the only one where you want to know more about him.
Overall: Most of the characters get either no development or are extremely underdeveloped. Also I would've liked to see more of the character Klein who's introduced in the first episode and is rarely mentioned in the rest of the series.
Enjoyment:- 7
While I might've ragged on a lot of the series, you will enjoy this series while watching it, especially is you're a gamer who plays MMORPGs. All throughout you'll be amazed at the brilliant action, music and art as well as be amused by the stupidity the series reaches at the second arc and how serious it takes itself.
Just keep in mind that this is not the masterpiece that the fanboys praise it to be and it isn't the abomination that the haters call it.
Overall I give this anime a 6.7 out of 10
